I’m going to be straight up with you guys; I wasn’t a fan of The Goon. But, when I skated up to Atlantic Records for his meet and greet, I must admit, he won me over…JUST A LITTLE! Though his music isn’t horrible, it’s jut not my cup of tea. However, I will say, Da REAList sounds like a nice, polished piece of work. His third album in about two years is scheduled to invade the streets December 16 and I’m sure it’ll fair well, even though the climate sucks right now.

Surprisingly, The Goon (sorry, I can’t help it lol) was very personable and emotional yesterday. He explained to us how he never thought he would see the day the big wigs at Atlantic Records would consider him a real priority; it almost brought tears to his eyes (word to Big Bird). He played about 7 records for us; all of which sounded real “Goonish”.

One particular record he cared a great deal about was a track called “Family Straight”. He explained it’s his most personal song he’s ever recorded and how his family might not be to accepting of him revealing their personal business to the masses. Though I enjoyed most of the material presented, I must say, “Me and My Goons” is my FAVORITE track from Plies…EVER! I can’t wait to play that song in the whip with my 4 year-old niece riding shotgun (she give a MEAN screw face when she’s riding with “Uncle LowKey”).

After the meet and greet, which had some of the best Buffalo Wings my tastes buds ever made love to, I jetted back to the office to finish up my portion of the Kanye West Experience Package. The big/lil brother, Niles (Special Opps at Atlantic Records) scooped me up for Plies’ VIBE Magazine Knitting Factory concert downtown. GOON TIME!

I arrived a bit late (we had a drink beforehand), but no worries, Niles shouted to one of the doormen, “Yo, he’s with BET”; ahhhh EASY ACCESS! However, some voluptuous honey dip had a hissy fit when the doorman stopped searching her so I could get in first. To be honest, I was ready to say, “Nah, finish her, I can wait” but since she started sounding like my 5^th grade Asthma Attacks (I couldn’t walk two inches without using my Inhaler, lol), I hopped right in front of her. GET OVER IT!

The usual suspects (YL, The Real, B Dub from VIBE Magazine) were already inside talking industry talk (whatever that means) so I decided to join them. However, since I got there late, the show was minutes from starting which meant we had to go upstairs. One problem: LowKey didn’t have a VIP wristband. No worries, VIBE Magazine’s EIC, Danyel Smith fixed that in a jiffy. GOOD LOOKS D.SMITH!

For his first New York show, The Goon did quite alright. He performed cuts I was obviously unfamiliar with, but he also touched a couple of his commercial hits (“Shawty”, “Bust It Baby”) and a couple features he appeared on in the past 12 months. Big shouts to Funkmaster Flex, Cipha Sounds, DJ Envy, DJ Whookid, DJ Self, Angela Yee, The Real Brothers, Boss Lady, Prezz, YN, B-Dub, B.Dot, Sowmya (you have one more time to punch me) The Gooch, Tashana V (you’re going to be me and Niles’ co-star), Lexx (the worst blogger, JOKING), Wexx, JC from VIBE Magazine, Hillary from Billboard and everyone I ran into yesterday.

Hmmmm, I wonder where I’ll end up tonight……LUDA CONCERT?? YUPPPPPP!

Checkout some photos and video from last nights festivities, below!

Sincerely

Low “Should I take a chill pill???? HELL NAH, I LOVE THIS SH*T” Key

Funkmaster Flex looking all KINDS of constipated in this picture (Great job last night, though).

Oh Terrence…..

This picture actually scares me……

Plies talks about his new album, “The Realist” and gives thanks during his meet and greet at Atlantic Records on November 24.

Plies performs his smash hit, “Bust It Baby Pt.2″ live at The Knitting Factory on November 24. Plies performs “Shawty” live at The Knitting Factory on November 24. Plies performs his verse from Shawty Lo’s, “They Know” remix at The Knitting Factory on November 24. Plies performs “Please Excuse My Hands” live at The Knitting Factory on November 24.

By now I’m sure a majority of you heard about the comments Robin Thicke made against Vibe Magazine in regards to who they place on the cover of their publication.  A Billboard reporter asked Thicke of his difficulties of breaking down color barriers in the music industry and the blue eyed bandit responded, “When I did a recent interview with Vibe magazine I asked, “Why can’t I get the cover? This is a magazine I love. If there’s one magazine that I’d want to be on the cover of, it’s Vibe.” Their response was they don’t have white artists on the cover; that the only white artist they’ve had on the cover was Eminem. I guess if that’s what it is, it is what it is. And I respect that because I live in a house with a black woman.I won’t use the word “racism.” I will say it’s a tough — but rewarding — fight.” 

Catching wind of these comments, VIBE’s EIC (Editor-In-Chief), Danyel Smith, released a statemen defending the publications choice of why and who makes the cover of Vibe Magazine. Said Smith of Mr. Thicke’s views, “We have a great deal of respect for Robin Thicke and his music, and we remain flattered by his desire to be on a VIBE cover.  A VIBE cover is a huge milestone in any artist’s career — recent cover stars include Young Jeezy, Mariah Carey, 50 Cent, Usher, Senator Barack Obama, Eminem, Lil Wayne, and Robert De Niro, to say nothing of our 15-year history. We wish Thicke the best, and we’re glad he discusses his thoughts on race and R&B in the new October 2008 issue of VIBE.”

As always, I turn to you (my faithful SoundOff readers) to throw me an opinion or two. Personally, I really don’t think this is a race issue, more so a sales issue. I love Robin Thicke to the death, but how many covers could he actually sell? To be honest, I think the “They don’t have white artists on the cover” comment was just another way of saying, “Sorry Robby, your not there yet”. But hey, that’s just me…..”Magic” is STILL my ish!

Sincerely

Low “It’s my B-Day, time to have some fun….IM OUT” Key